Product classification

HS code for Waste hydraulic fluid: 3825.50

Residual products of chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included, wastes of metal pickling liquors, hydraulic fluids, brake fluids and anti-freeze fluids.

Classification of waste hydraulic fluid under HS 3825.50

Waste hydraulic fluids are classified under HS code 3825.50 as residual products of the chemical or allied industries. This heading is specifically designed to capture waste materials that are no longer fit for their original intended use. Unlike virgin hydraulic fluids, which are classified based on their chemical composition (often in Chapter 27 for mineral-based or Chapter 38 for synthetic-based), waste fluids are grouped by their status as industrial refuse. Subheading 3825.50 is a specific provision for hydraulic fluids, brake fluids, and anti-freeze fluids that have become contaminated, spent, or otherwise degraded during industrial or automotive processes. The classification is determined by the fact that the product is a waste stream intended for disposal, recycling, or recovery, rather than a primary product intended for sale as a lubricant or functional fluid.

Covers
  • Used mineral-based hydraulic oils
  • Spent synthetic hydraulic fluids
  • Contaminated brake fluids (hydraulic traction)
  • Waste anti-freeze solutions and coolants
  • Degraded transmission fluids used in hydraulic systems
  • Recovered hydraulic fluids from machinery decommissioning
Also under 3825.50
  • Waste acid baths from steel mills
  • used brake fluid from car repair shops
  • drained antifreeze from vehicle maintenance
  • spent hydraulic oil from heavy machinery
  • waste coolant from industrial chillers

Codes often confused with 3825.50

Common mistake. Waste hydraulic fluids are often misclassified under 2710.91 or 2710.99, which cover general waste oils. While 2710.99 is a broad category for waste petroleum oils, 3825.50 is more specific for hydraulic and brake fluids. Another common error is using 3819.00, which is strictly for new, prepared hydraulic fluids. If the fluid contains more than 50mg/kg of PCBs, it must be classified under 3825.41 or 2710.91 depending on the base.

2710.91Waste Oils; of petroleum or obtained from bituminous minerals, not crude; and preparations n.e.c., weight 70% or preparations of the same, containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychorinated terphenyls (PCTs) or polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs)2710.99Waste Oils; of petroleum or obtained from bituminous minerals, not crude and preparations n.e.c., weight 70% or preparations of the same, not containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychorinated terphenyls (PCTs) or polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs)3819.00Hydraulic fluids; for brakes and other prepared liquids for hydraulic transmission, not containing or containing less than 70% by weight of petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals3825.41Residual products of the chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included; halogenated waste organic solvents

Top exporters and importers of HS 382550 (the code used for waste hydraulic fluid), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 382550 (the code used for waste hydraulic fluid) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 37% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 18% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Figures cover everything classified under HS 382550, not only waste hydraulic fluid.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Germany $1.9M
  2. 2 United States $987K
  3. 3 Netherlands $402K

World total: $5.1M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Spain $964K
  2. 2 Germany $932K
  3. 3 Canada $631K

World total: $5.4M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

How these figures are built

109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).

Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.

Brazil NCM code for waste hydraulic fluid

Brazil classifies waste hydraulic fluid under NCM 3825.50.00: HS 3825.50 with 00 added.

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about waste hydraulic fluid

What is the HS code for Waste hydraulic fluid?

The HS code for Waste hydraulic fluid is 382550 (Residual products of chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included; wastes of metal pickling liquors, hydraulic fluids, brake fluids and anti-freeze fluids). The specific HS code for waste hydraulic fluids, along with brake and anti-freeze fluids, is 3825.50.

How do I classify Waste hydraulic fluid for customs?

Waste hydraulic fluid is classified under HS code 382550 — Residual products of chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included; wastes of metal pickling liquors, hydraulic fluids, brake fluids and anti-freeze fluids. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Does this code include new hydraulic fluids?

No, new or virgin hydraulic fluids are typically classified under 3819.00 or within heading 2710 depending on their petroleum content.

Which countries are the top exporters of waste hydraulic fluid (HS 382550)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 382550 (the code used for waste hydraulic fluid) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($1.9M, 37% of world exports), the United States ($987K) and the Netherlands ($402K). World exports came to about $5.1M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Which countries are the top importers of waste hydraulic fluid (HS 382550)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 382550 (the code used for waste hydraulic fluid) in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($964K, 18% of world imports), Germany ($932K) and Canada ($631K). World imports came to about $5.4M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Is the HS code for Waste hydraulic fluid the same in all countries?

The base HS code 382550 for Waste hydraulic fluid is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.

What is the NCM code for waste hydraulic fluid in Brazil?

In Brazil, waste hydraulic fluid (HS 382550) is classified under NCM 3825.50.00.